Hector Garcia's mom to speak on TV about her son

Express-News Staff Report

January 28, 2015Updated: February 9, 2015 11:36pm

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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At more than 600 pounds, Hector Garcia Jr. had to struggle to get to the bathroom across the hall so that his mother, Elena, could wash him after having cut his hair in November 2010. A month before, Hector started dieting after he realized he was close to his highest known weight, 636 pounds.

At more than 600 pounds, Hector Garcia Jr. had to struggle to get to the bathroom across the hall so that his mother, Elena, could wash him after having cut his hair in November 2010. A month before, Hector

Garcia teases his mother and caretaker, Elena Garcia, as he shoots baskets at the Westside Family YMCA in September 2011. When Garcia began going to the YMCA, he was only able to walk in the pool. As he lost weight and became more mobile, he could eventually lift weights. less

Garcia teases his mother and caretaker, Elena Garcia, as he shoots baskets at the Westside Family YMCA in September 2011. When Garcia began going to the YMCA, he was only able to walk in the pool. As he lost ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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By last June, Garcia’s weight was again nearing 500 pounds. After four knee surgeries, he needed to use a walker for support again and felt his knees were unstable. The Garcias often had trouble finding motorized scooters at stores but found two for Garcia and his mother, Elena, on their grocery shopping trip to Walmart. less

By last June, Garcia’s weight was again nearing 500 pounds. After four knee surgeries, he needed to use a walker for support again and felt his knees were unstable. The Garcias often had trouble finding ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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Garcia lights the candle on his cake for his 49th birthday Nov. 19, as his mother, Elena Garcia, begins to sing to him at their home in San Antonio.

Garcia lights the candle on his cake for his 49th birthday Nov. 19, as his mother, Elena Garcia, begins to sing to him at their home in San Antonio.

Photo: Lisa Krantz / San Antonio Express-News

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Elena Garcia spends time with her son, Hector, on his 49th birthday Nov. 19. She bought him a cookies-and-cream-flavored cake, and they spent a quiet day at home.

Elena Garcia spends time with her son, Hector, on his 49th birthday Nov. 19. She bought him a cookies-and-cream-flavored cake, and they spent a quiet day at home.

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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Elena Garcia breaks down as she tells the story of her son, Hector, collapsing and her efforts to revive him the night before in their living room. She speaks to her other son, John, and his wife, Rosa, left, after they arrived from Houston on Dec. 9 to comfort her. less

Elena Garcia breaks down as she tells the story of her son, Hector, collapsing and her efforts to revive him the night before in their living room. She speaks to her other son, John, and his wife, Rosa, left, ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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Garcia’s siblings Rebecca Freed, with her husband, Tom Freed, from left, John Garcia, Laura Garcia and their mother, Elena Garcia, make plans Dec. 10 for the private viewing and public memorial service for Hector at Trevino Funeral Home Palo Alto. less

Garcia’s siblings Rebecca Freed, with her husband, Tom Freed, from left, John Garcia, Laura Garcia and their mother, Elena Garcia, make plans Dec. 10 for the private viewing and public memorial service for ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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"I love you mijo," Hector Garcia Sr. repeats to his son as he and his wife, Elena Garcia, say goodbye to him for the last time at the conclusion of the viewing at Trevino Funeral Home Palo Alto.

"I love you mijo," Hector Garcia Sr. repeats to his son as he and his wife, Elena Garcia, say goodbye to him for the last time at the conclusion of the viewing at Trevino Funeral Home Palo Alto.

Photo: Lisa Krantz / San Antonio Express-News

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Pallbearers, including Garcia’s brother-in-law Tom Freed, right, carry his casket to the hearse to be driven by his home one last time, the only request by Garcia’s father, after the viewing. His mother, Elena Garcia, from left, father, Hector Garcia Sr. and sister, Laura Garcia, watch from inside. less

Pallbearers, including Garcia’s brother-in-law Tom Freed, right, carry his casket to the hearse to be driven by his home one last time, the only request by Garcia’s father, after the viewing. His mother, ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

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Tom Freed hangs a memorial wreath on the door of the home of Garcia’s parents, Elena and Hector Garcia Sr., after the memorial service.

Tom Freed hangs a memorial wreath on the door of the home of Garcia’s parents, Elena and Hector Garcia Sr., after the memorial service.

Tom Freed (from left), Hector Garcia Sr., Elena Garcia and Rosie Garcia watch as each family member lights a candle for Hector Garcia Jr. and his sister, Terry Amen, on Christmas Eve, their first holiday without Garcia. less

Tom Freed (from left), Hector Garcia Sr., Elena Garcia and Rosie Garcia watch as each family member lights a candle for Hector Garcia Jr. and his sister, Terry Amen, on Christmas Eve, their first holiday ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz /San Antonio Express-News

Hector Garcia's mom to speak on TV about her son

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Elena Garcia will be interviewed Wednesday on "The Doctors" about her late son's struggle with extreme obesity, a battle that was the subject of a recent profile in the Express-News.

She was flown to Los Angeles for a segment on obesity, which plagued her son Hector Garcia Jr. throughout his life. The show will air on KABB-TV at 10 a.m.

Over four years, Express-News photographer Lisa Krantz chronicled how Hector lost weight, only to regain it after four knee operations. Garcia, who spoke of how obesity had robbed him of a normal life, died Dec. 8 at age 49.

Generating more than 1 million page views after being shared worldwide, the story was the most read ever on ExpressNews.com.